Mat, 1859. . CAPE HERSCHEL. 277 



winter. This is probably true, as it is only 

 in winter and early spring they can travel 

 overland to the west shore, or that they make a 

 practice of wandering along the shore in search 

 of seals and bears. 



The remains of those who died in the Fish 

 Eiver may very probably have been discovered 

 in the summer shortly after their decease. 



Along the south coast of King William's 

 Land, as upon the mainland, I was sadly dis- 

 appointed in my expectation of meeting natives. 

 We found only six or eight deserted snow huts, 

 showing that they had recently been here, 

 and consequently there was the less chance of 

 meeting with them on our further progress, as 

 the season had now arrived when they seek the 

 rivers and the favourite haunts and passes of 

 the reindeer in their northern migration. 



Hobson was however upon the western coast, 

 and I hoped to find a note left for me at 

 Cape Herschel containing some piece of good 

 news. After minutely examining the inter- 

 vening coast -line, it was with strong and 

 reasonable hope I ascended the slope which 

 is crowned by Simpson's conspicuous cairn. 

 This summit of Cape Herschel is perhaps 

 150 feet high, and about a quarter of a mile 

 within the low stony point which projects 



